Saturday, October 15, 2016

OTHELLO

Written by William Shakespeare

Directed by Peter Evans

Bell Shakespeare

Canberra Theatre Centre
to October 22

Review by Len Power
14 October 2016

It’s rare these days to see a production of a Shakespeare
play set in the period in which it was written.It’s great when it works but it can seem merely indulgent when it doesn’t.This modern day Bell Shakespeare production
of ‘Othello’ works so well it feels like it was written yesterday!

The action is played out on an imposing set, designed by
Michael Hankin, which gives the impression of a coldly grand public building.Minimal props are used and a long table is
spun around by the cast to signify various scenes, locations and a sense of
separating conflict between characters.The
lighting design by Paul Jackson is bold and imaginative, especially in its atmospheric
use of mobile lighting.The combination
of set design and lighting is especially effective in the bedroom scene at the
end of the play.Sound design by Steve
Toulmin is equally well done, especially in the startling storm sequence.

The cast of nine all give excellent performances.Ray Chong Nee as Othello is an imposing military
leader who displays great tenderness in his love for Desdemona.He makes his gradual descent into madness
through jealousy something we can relate to and his agonised emotions are quite
moving at the end.

Yalin Ozucelik gives the most real Iago performance I have
ever seen.It is totally believable that
Othello should trust and listen to the lies created by this evil man.All charm and wit on the surface when
relating to other characters, it is only in his soliloquies and private moments
with his wife that we see the sociopath underneath.

As Desdemona, Elizabeth Nabben gives a great performance of a
spirited modern woman caught up in a situation that she cannot fathom and
Joanna Downing as Iago’s wife, Emilia, provides a strong portrayal of a woman
who knows the dark side of her husband but unwittingly assists him in his evil
plan.

There was fine work from Edmund Lembke-Hogan as the
dim-witted and doomed Roderigo, Michael Wahr as Cassio, Alice Keohavong as Bianca
and Huw McKinnon and James Lugton were impressive in smaller roles.

Peter Evans has directed a handsome-looking production which
moves swiftly but is very clear in its language delivery and in the depth of
its characters.That the play seems
quite modern is an extraordinary achievement.

Len Power’s reviews
can also be heard on Artsound FM 92.7 ‘Artcetera’ program from 9.00am on Saturdays.

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About Me

The 26 year-old Canberra Critics’ Circle is the only such group of critics in Australia that runs across all the major art forms, not just performing arts.
The circle changes each year depending on who is writing or broadcasting on the arts in Canberra.
Our aim is to provide a focal point for Canberra reviewers in print and electronic media through discussions and forums. As well, we make awards to ACT region artists (defined as within 100km radius of Canberra) in the latter part of each year.
The CCC has always resisted making awards in “best-of” categories. Arts practice is not a competitive race and Canberra is a small pool where it would be ridiculous to pre-impose categories, apart from major art form genres. The idea is that we, the critics, single out qualities we have noticed -- things which have struck us as important. These could be expressed as abstracts, like impact, originality, creativity, craftsmanship and excellence.
Our year is from September 30 2016 to September 30 2017.
Convener of the Circle is Helen Musa.